Coulter Assembly

ABSTRACT

A coulter assembly is provided that facilitates continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. In an exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a gauge wheel configured to rotate across a soil surface to limit a penetration depth of a coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupled to the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gauge wheel. This configuration may enable the coulter disk to operate at any penetration depth within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitating deposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhance crop growth.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/474,408, entitled “Coulter Assembly”, filed May 29, 2009, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to a coulter assembly, and morespecifically, to a continuously variable depth adjustment system foraltering a coulter disk penetration depth.

Generally, coulters are towed behind a tractor via a mounting bracketsecured to a rigid frame of the implement. Coulters are typicallyconfigured to excavate a trench into soil, and may assist in deliveringa liquid or dry fertilizer into the trench. Specifically, certaincoulters include a coulter disk that cuts into the soil as the coultermoves along the terrain. A penetration depth of the coulter disk isgenerally regulated by a gauge wheel. In a typical configuration, thegauge wheel is positioned adjacent to the coulter disk and rotatesacross the soil surface. The coulter disk is positioned below the gaugewheel such that the coulter disk penetrates the soil. A vertical offsetdistance between the coulter disk and the gauge wheel determines thecoulter disk penetration depth. As will be appreciated by those skilledin the art, the effectiveness of fertilizer may be dependent upon itsdeposition depth within the soil. Therefore, precise control of coulterdisk penetration depth may be beneficial for crop growth.

However, typical coulter assemblies only facilitate gauge wheeladjustment in discrete increments. For example, the gauge wheel may onlybe adjusted between two or three discrete positions. As a result, thecoulter may not deposit the fertilizer at a suitable depth to enhancecrop growth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a coulter assembly configured tofacilitate continuous adjustment of coulter disk penetration depth. Inan exemplary embodiment, the coulter assembly includes a supportstructure and a coulter disk rotatable coupled to the support structure.A gauge wheel is movably coupled to the support structure and configuredto rotate across a surface of the soil to limit a penetration depth ofthe coulter disk into the soil. A depth adjustment assembly is coupledto the gauge wheel and configured to adjust the penetration depth of thecoulter disk by continuously varying the vertical position of the gaugewheel. This configuration enables any coulter disk penetration depth tobe selected within the gauge wheel range of motion, thereby facilitatingdeposition of fertilizer within the soil at a suitable depth to enhancecrop growth.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a towable agricultural implementincluding multiple coulter assemblies;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of one coulter assembly, as shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the coulter assembly of FIG. 2, showing asupport structure, a coulter disk, a gauge wheel, and a swing arm;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the coulter assembly of FIG. 2, showingthe support structure, the coulter disk, the gauge wheel, and the swingarm;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the coulter assembly of FIG. 2, showingthe support structure and a depth adjustment assembly; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the coulter assembly of FIG. 2, showingthe support structure and the depth adjustment assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a towableagricultural implement 10 including multiple left-handed coulterassemblies 12 and right-handed coulter assemblies 14. As discussed indetail below, the coulter assemblies 12 and 14 may include a coulterdisk configured to excavate a trench into soil. A fertilizer deliveryassembly positioned behind the coulter disk may then inject a liquid ordry fertilizer into the trench. In such an arrangement, seeds plantedadjacent to the trench may receive a proper amount of fertilizer. Asillustrated, the coulter assemblies 12 and 14 are secured to shanks 16that couple the coulter assemblies 12 and 14 to a tool bar 18. In thepresent embodiment, the tool bar 18 includes 12 left-handed coulterassemblies 12 and 12 right-handed coulter assemblies 14. Furtherembodiments may include more or fewer coulter assemblies 12 and 14. Forexample, certain embodiments may include 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, or moreleft-handed coulter assemblies 12 and right-handed coulter assemblies14. The tool bar 18 is coupled to a tow bar 20, including a hitch 22.The hitch 22 may, in turn, be coupled to a tractor such that the towableagricultural implement 10 may be pulled through a field. In certainembodiments, the tool bar 18, including the coulter assemblies 12 and14, precedes row units configured to deposits seeds into the soil. Insuch embodiments, the row units may be offset from the coulterassemblies 12 and 14 such that the seeds are deposited a desireddistance from the fertilizer enriched trench. This configuration mayenable the crops to absorb a proper amount of fertilizer as they grow.

As discussed in detail below, a penetration depth of each coulter diskmay be varied by adjusting a vertical position of a gauge wheel.Specifically, the gauge wheel may rotate across a surface of the soil tolimit coulter disk penetration. Increasing or decreasing the verticalposition of the gauge wheel with respect to the coulter disk varies thepenetration depth. In the present embodiment, a depth adjustmentassembly is coupled to the gauge wheel to continuously vary its verticalposition. Therefore, any coulter disk penetration depth within the gaugewheel range of motion may be selected.

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of a left-handed coulter assembly12. The coulter assembly 12 is coupled to the shank 16 by a tool barmount 24. As illustrated, the tool bar mount 24 is rotatably coupled toa support structure 26 by a shaft 28. The shaft 28 enables the supportstructure 26 to rotate about an axis 30 in a direction 32 in response toobstructions or variations in the terrain. Specifically, the tool barmount 24 may be coupled to the shank 16 by fasteners that pass throughopenings 34 in the tool bar mount 24. The tool bar mount 24 includes aspring plate 36 configured to limit rotation of the support structure 26with respect to the tool bar mount 24. The coulter assembly 12 includesa threaded rod 38 and a compression spring 40 configured to maintain asubstantially constant force between the gauge wheel and the soil.Specifically, the threaded rod 38 passes through an opening in thespring plate 36, and the spring 40 is disposed about the threaded rod38. A first spring stop 42 is disposed between the spring 40 and thespring plate 36, and a second spring stop 44 is disposed adjacent to theopposite end of the spring 40 to ensure that the spring 40 remainsdisposed about the threaded rod 38. The second spring stop 44 is securedto the spring 40 by a washer 46 and a pair of fasteners 48. The threadedrod 38 is coupled to a pin 50 that passes through a hole 52 in thesupport structure 26. The pin 50 is secured to the threaded rod 38 by aloop 54 and the support structure 26 by a cotter pin 56.

The structure described above enables the support structure 26 to rotateabout the axis 30 in the direction 32 in response to variations in fieldconditions. For example, if the support structure 26 is driven to rotatein the direction 32 by contact with an obstruction, the supportstructure 26 may rotate about the shaft 28. As the support structure 26rotates, the spring 40 is compressed, thereby biasing the supportstructure 26 toward its initial orientation. Specifically, rotation ofthe support structure 26 causes the pin 50 to rotate about the axis 30in the direction 32. Because the pin 50 is coupled to the threaded rod38 by the loop 54, the threaded rod 38 is driven to translate throughthe opening in the spring plate 36. The spring 40 is then compressedbetween the spring stops 42 and 44 by the washer 46 secured to thethreaded rod 38 by the fasteners 48. The spring compression applies abiasing force to the support structure 26 by the previously describedlinkage, thereby inducing the support structure 26 to return to itsinitial orientation. Such a configuration may serve to protect thecoulter assembly 12 by absorbing the impact of obstructions encounteredduring cultivation.

The coulter assembly 12 also includes a coulter disk 58 rotatablycoupled to the support structure 26 by a bearing assembly 60. Thebearing assembly 60 enables the coulter disk 58 to freely rotate as itengages the soil and excavates a trench. The coulter assembly 12 alsoincludes a scraper 62 disposed adjacent to the coulter disk 58 andcoupled to the support structure 26 by a bracket 64. The scraper 62 isconfigured to remove accumulated soil from the coulter disk 58 and mayserve to widen the trench. The scraper 62 is coupled to a fertilizertube 66 configured to deliver liquid or dry fertilizer into the trench.

A gauge wheel 68 is pivotally coupled to the support structure 26 by aswing arm 70. The swing arm 70 is, in turn, coupled to a depthadjustment assembly 72 configured to continuously vary the verticalposition of the gauge wheel 68 with respect to the support structure 26.As discussed in detail below, because the gauge wheel 68 travels alongthe surface of the soil, varying the position of the gauge wheel 68alters the penetration depth of the coulter disk 58 into the soil. Thedepth adjustment assembly 72 includes a lever 74 and a shaft 76. Theshaft 76 is rigidly coupled to a first end of the lever 74, and a linearactuator is coupled to the second end. In this configuration, extensionand retraction of the linear actuator induces the lever 74 and the shaft76 to rotate. In certain embodiments, the linear actuator may include apneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electromechanicalactuator, for example. In the present embodiment, the linear actuatorincludes a rod 78, a pin 80, a mount 82, a first fastener 84 and asecond fastener 86. As discussed in detail below, adjusting the positionof the fasteners 84 and 86 with respect to the rod 78 rotates the lever74, thereby rotating the shaft 76 coupled to the swing arm 70. Rotatingthe swing arm 70 alters the vertical position of the gauge wheel 68,thereby varying the penetration depth of the coulter disk 58. Becausethe fasteners 84 and 86 may be positioned at any location along thelength of the rod 78, extension and/or retraction of the rod 78 withrespect to the mount 82 may be continuously varied. Therefore, anycoulter disk penetration depth within a range defined by the length ofthe rod 78 and the geometry of the depth adjustment assembly 72 may beachieved.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the coulter assembly 12, showing thesupport structure 26, the coulter disk 58, the gauge wheel 68, and theswing arm 70. As previously discussed, the depth adjustment assembly 72may rotate the swing arm 70, thereby adjusting the vertical position ofthe gauge wheel 68. Specifically, the swing arm 70 includes a firstregion 88 and a second region 90. The first region is rigidly coupled tothe shaft 76 by a bolt 92. In this manner, rotation of the shaft 76induces the swing arm 70 to rotate. In addition, the gauge wheel 68 isrotatably coupled to the second region 90 by a bolt 94. The bolt 94enables the gauge wheel 68 to rotate as it moves across the soilsurface.

In the illustrated embodiment, the gauge wheel 68 includes an outersurface 96 and an inner hub 98. The outer surface 96 may be composed ofrubber to provide traction between the gauge wheel 68 and the soil. Theinner hub 98 may be composed of a rigid material (e.g., nylon) capableof supporting the outer surface 96. As illustrated, a penetration depthD is established between the bottom of the gauge wheel 68 and the bottomof the coulter disk 58. Specifically, because the gauge wheel 68 rotatesalong the surface of the soil, the coulter disk 58 may penetrate thesoil to the penetration depth D. In addition, because the depthadjustment assembly 72 is configured to lock the swing arm 70 into placeduring operation of the coulter assembly 12, the gauge wheel 68 maylimit the penetration depth D based on the angle of the swing arm 70.Moreover, because the depth adjustment assembly 72 is configured tocontinuously vary the angle of the swing arm 70 with respect to thesupport structure 26, the depth adjustment assembly 72 may continuouslyvary the penetration depth D of the coulter disk 58 into the soil.

In the present embodiment, the gauge wheel 68 is disposed directlyadjacent to the coulter disk 58. In this configuration, the gauge wheel68 may serve to remove accumulated soil from the coulter disk 58 as thegauge wheel 68 rotates. In certain embodiments, the gauge wheel 68 isangled about a longitudinal axis of the support structure 26 toward asoil penetrating portion of the coulter disk 58. This arrangement mayserve to enhance soil removal from the coulter disk 58.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the coulter assembly 12, showing thesupport structure 26, the coulter disk 58, the gauge wheel 68, and theswing arm 70. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates the internal parts thatenable the swing arm 70 to rotate with respect to the support structure26. As previously discussed, the swing arm 70 is rigidly coupled to theshaft 76. To limit rotation of the swing arm 70 with respect to theshaft 76, a key 100 is inserted into a recess 102 in the shaft 76. Abearing 104 is then disposed between the shaft 76 and the supportstructure 26 to enable the shaft 76 to rotate within the supportstructure 26. The first region 88 of the swing arm 70 includes anopening 106 including a recess 108 configured to interlock with the key100. Specifically, the recess 108 is aligned with the key 100 prior todisposing the opening 106 about the shaft 76. Interaction between thekey 100 and the recess 108 limits rotation of the swing arm 70 withrespect to the shaft 76. Therefore, rotation of the shaft 76 by thedepth adjustment assembly 72 rotates the swing arm 70, while limitingrotation of the swing arm 70 during operation of the coulter assembly12. Finally, the swing arm 70 is secured to the shaft 76 by the bolt 92and washers 110 and 112.

As previously discussed, the gauge wheel 68 is coupled to the secondregion 90 of the swing arm 70 by the bolt 94. Specifically, the bolt 94passes through the gauge wheel 68 and a washer 114. The bolt 94 thensecures to an opening 116 within the second region 90 of the swing arm70. This configuration enables the gauge wheel 68 to rotate with respectto the swing arm 70 as it moves across the soil surface.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the coulter assembly 12, showing thesupport structure 26 and the depth adjustment assembly 72. As previouslydiscussed, the depth adjustment assembly 72 facilitates continuousadjustment of the penetration depth D of the coulter disk 58 into thesoil by adjusting the vertical position of the gauge wheel 68.Specifically, a position of the rod 78 may be varied by adjusting theposition of the fasteners 84 and 86 with respect to the mount 82. Incertain embodiments, the rod 78 may be threaded and the fasteners 84 and86 may be nuts including complementary threads configured to mate withthe threaded rod 78. In such a configuration, washers 118 and 120 may bedisposed between the nuts 84 and 86, respectively, and the mount 82. Forexample, the rod 78 may be translated in a direction 122 by uncouplingthe fastener 86, moving the rod 78 in the direction 122, and thensecuring both fasteners 84 and 86 about the mount 82. Translating therod 78 in the direction 122 rotates the lever 74 in a direction 124,thereby rotating the shaft 76 in the direction 124. As previouslydiscussed, the shaft 76 is rigidly coupled to the swing arm 70.Therefore, rotating the shaft 76 in the direction 124 induces the swingarm 70 to rotate in the direction 124, thereby increasing the verticaldisplacement of the gauge wheel 68 with respect to the support structure26 and increasing the penetration depth D of the coulter disk 58.

Conversely, the rod 78 may be translated in a direction 126 byuncoupling the fastener 84, moving the rod 78 in the direction 126, andthen securing both fasteners 84 and 86 about the mount 82. Translatingthe rod 78 in the direction 126 rotates the lever 74 in a direction 128,thereby rotating the shaft 76 in the direction 128. Because the shaft 76is rigidly coupled to the swing arm 70, rotating the shaft 76 in thedirection 128 induces the swing arm 70 to rotate in the direction 128.Therefore, the vertical displacement of the gauge wheel 68 with respectto the support structure 26 is decreased, and the penetration depth D ofthe coulter disk 58 is decreased. In certain embodiments, thepenetration depth D of the coulter disk 58 may be continuously variedbetween approximately 0 to 6 inches. However, further embodiments mayhave a greater or lesser range of adjustment. Because the fasteners 84and 86 may be positioned at any location along the rod 78, anypenetration depth D may be established within the range limited by thelength of the rod 78 and the geometry of the depth adjustment assembly72.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the coulter assembly 12, showing thesupport structure 26 and the depth adjustment assembly 72. Asillustrated, the threaded rod 78 includes a loop 130 configured toreceive the pin 80. The loop 130 of the threaded rod 78 may be alignedwith openings 132 in the lever 74. The pin 80 may then be insertedthrough the openings 132 and the loop 130 to secure the threaded rod 78to the lever 74. The pin 80 includes a recess 134, and the threaded rod78 includes an opening 136. The recess 134 may be aligned with theopening 136, and a pin 138 may be inserted through the opening 136 andinto the recess 134. In this manner, the threaded rod 78 may berotatably secured to the lever 74.

As previously discussed, the lever 74 is rigidly coupled to the shaft 76including the key 100. A bearing 140 is disposed about the shaft 76 suchthat the shaft 76 may rotate within an opening 142 within the supportstructure 26. This configuration may enable linear movement of thethreaded rod 78 to induce rotation of the shaft 76 within the opening142 such that the swing arm 70 rotates with respect to the supportstructure 26. The threaded rod 78 may be inserted through an opening 144in the mount 82. As illustrated, the opening 144 is elongated in thevertical direction to enable vertical movement of the threaded rod 78 asthe rod 78 translates in the direction 122 and/or 126 through theopening 144 in the mount 82. As previously discussed, fastener 84 andwasher 118 is disposed on one side of the mount 82, while fastener 86and washer 120 are disposed on the opposite side. In this configuration,the threaded rod 78 may be positioned and secured relative to the mount82 such that the vertical position of the gauge wheel 68 may becontinuously varied with respect to the support structure 26, therebyenabling the penetration depth D of the coulter disk 58 to becontinuously adjusted.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the invention.

1. A coulter assembly, comprising: a support structure; a coulter diskrotatably mounted to the support structure and configured to cut atrench into soil; a swing arm comprising a first region and a secondregion, the swing arm being rotatably mounted to the support structurein the first region; a gauge wheel rotatably mounted to the secondregion of the swing arm and configured to limit a penetration depth ofthe coulter disk into the soil; and a depth adjustment assembly coupledto the first region of the swing arm and configured to adjust thepenetration depth of the coulter disk by continuously varying an angleof the swing arm with respect to the support structure.
 2. The coulterassembly of claim 1, wherein the depth adjustment assembly comprises alever having a first end and a second end, the first end being rigidlycoupled to the first region of the swing arm and the second end beingrotatably coupled to a linear actuator, wherein extension and retractionof the linear actuator facilitates rotation of the swing arm withrespect to the support structure.
 3. The coulter assembly of claim 2,wherein the linear actuator comprises a mount coupled to the supportstructure, a rod disposed within an opening in the mount, a firstfastener movably coupled to the rod and configured to block movement ofthe rod with respect to the mount in a first direction, and a secondfastener movably coupled to the rod and configured to block movement ofthe rod with respect to the mount in a second direction, opposite thefirst direction.
 4. The coulter assembly of claim 3, wherein the rodcomprises a threaded rod, and the first and second fasteners comprisenuts including complementary threads configured to mate with thethreaded rod.
 5. The coulter assembly of claim 1, wherein the firstregion of the swing arm is mounted to a first side of the supportstructure, the depth adjustment assembly being mounted to a second sideof the support structure, opposite the first side, and wherein the depthadjustment assembly is coupled to the first end of the swing arm by ashaft that passes through the support structure.
 6. The coulter assemblyof claim 1, wherein the gauge wheel is disposed adjacent to the coulterdisk and configured to remove accumulated soil from the coulter disk. 7.The coulter assembly of claim 1, comprising a scraper disposed adjacentto the coulter disk and configured to remove accumulated soil from thecoulter disk.
 8. The coulter assembly of claim 1, wherein the gaugewheel is angled about a longitudinal axis of the support structuretoward a soil penetrating portion of the coulter disk.